Memoirs and Historical Chronicles of the Courts of Europe eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 386 pages of information about Memoirs and Historical Chronicles of the Courts of Europe.

Memoirs and Historical Chronicles of the Courts of Europe eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 386 pages of information about Memoirs and Historical Chronicles of the Courts of Europe.
woman seemed perfectly indifferent to the sum proposed, and wholly absorbed in her lover, and in the grief of leaving him.  She seemed insensible to everything but the cruel sacrifice which her reason, and her love itself, demanded.  At length, drawing from a little portfolio the promise of marriage, signed by the Count, ’I know his heart too well,’ said she, ‘to need it.’  Then she kissed it again and again, with a sort of transport, and delivered it to the Ambassador, who stood by, astonished at the grandeur of soul he witnessed.  He promised her that he would never cease to take the liveliest interest in her fate, and assured the Count of his father’s forgiveness.  ‘He will receive with open arms,’ said he, ’the prodigal son, returning to the bosom of his distressed family; the heart of a father is an exhaustless mine of tenderness.  How great will be the felicity of my friend on the receipt of these tidings, after his long anxiety and affliction; how happy do I esteem myself, at being the instrument of that felicity!’ Such was, in part, the language of the Ambassador, which appeared to produce a strong impression on the young man.  But, fearing lest, during the night, love should regain all his power, and should triumph over the generous resolution of the lady, the Marquis pressed the young Count to accompany him to his hotel.  The tears, the cries of anguish, which marked this cruel separation, cannot be described; they deeply touched the heart of the Ambassador, who promised to watch over the young lady.  The Count’s little baggage was not difficult to remove, and, that very evening, he was installed in the finest apartment of the Ambassador’s house.  The Marquis was overjoyed at having restored to the illustrious house of Moncade the heir of its greatness, and of its magnificent domains.  On the following morning, as soon as the young Count was up, he found tailors, dealers in cloth, lace, stuffs, etc., out of which he had only to choose.  Two valets de chambre, and three laquais, chosen by the Ambassador for their intelligence and good conduct, were in waiting in his antechamber, and presented themselves, to receive his orders.  The Ambassador shewed the young Count the letter he had just written to his father, in which he congratulated him on possessing a son whose noble sentiments and striking qualities were worthy of his illustrious blood, and announced his speedy return.  The young lady was not forgotten; he confessed that to her generosity he was partly indebted for the submission of her lover, and expressed his conviction that the Count would not disapprove the gift he had made her, of ten thousand florins.  That sum was remitted, on the same day, to this noble and interesting girl, who left the Hague without delay.  The preparations for the Count’s journey were made; a splendid wardrobe and an excellent carriage were embarked at Rotterdam, in a ship bound for France, on board which a passage was secured for the Count,
Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Memoirs and Historical Chronicles of the Courts of Europe from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.